BLACK SABBATH

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In 1984 BLACK SABBATH was in turmoil. Without a vocalist the band were in consultation with producer Spencer Proffer regarding possibly working together on an album. Proffer was a hot ticket having worked on the recent QUIET RIOT number one album 'Metal Health'. The producer suggested BLACK SABBATH hook up with former STEELER vocalist Ron Keel. The young American did not audition but cut a series of demos, recorded by session musicians and produced by SLAUGHTER's Dana Strum. These tapes would in fact be a selection of tracks written by Canadian band KICK AXE and suggested for use by Proffer for a forthcoming BLACK SABBATH product. However, as Iommi was less than impressed with the producer's choice of material relations between Proffer and BLACK SABBATH were curtailed and Keel was also put out of the frame. This was not before news stories of his supposed tenure with the band were leaked though. Keel went on to major label success with his own eponymous band KEEL as BLACK SABBATH began the hunt once more for a singer. As for Spencer Proffer's KICK AXE tracks, 'Running Wild In The Streets', would end up on the W.A.S.P. album 'The Last Command', re-credited to Blackie Lawless whilst the other two tracks, 'Hunger' and 'Piece Of The Rock', would be covered by KING KOBRA.

Finally the band announced that Ward had rejoined and unveiled new vocalist, an American, David Donato, whose past credits listed various small time Californian club bands, such as HERO, HEADSHAKER, VIRGIN and WHITE TIGER, the latter act alongside KISS guitarist Mark St. John. The tape that secured Donato the job was recorded with ex-DEEP PURPLE bassist GLENN HUGHES and Mark Norton in a band titled DALI.

With David Donato fronting the band BLACK SABBATH engaged in six months of rehearsals at The Rockhouse in Los Angeles. In early 1985 a now infamous BLACK SABBATH interview in 'Kerrang' magazine mocked the new look band. The heavily edited article was viewed by many as signalling the death knell for Donato's involvement although, in reality, the singer maintained his position for many months afterward. The ongoing rehearsals culminated in a Bob Ezrin produced demo. Amongst these tracks would be 'No Way Out'. (A song that would morph over the years through various titles such as 'Black Fire', 'Power Of The Night' and 'Rise Up' before finally emerging commercially in 1987 as 'The Shining'). Other Ezrin demos would be the unreleased 'Don't Beg The Master' and 'Dancing With The Devil'. The Donato incarnation of BLACK SABBATH then disbanded, with Geezer endeavouring to build a solo band.

Post BLACK SABBATH, Donato's next project would be a brief union with guitarist LANNY CORDOLA and Barry Brandt of ANGEL repute. Another call from the BLACK SABBATH camp had Donato cutting demos with Geezer Butler in St. Louis. Subsequently, Donato re-emerged as 'Michael McDonald', fronting the short-lived outfit KEEP in alliance with old colleague Mark St. John and KISS co-founder PETER CRISS.

Geezer Butler still pursued the formation of his solo band, the line-up for the GEEZER BUTLER BAND during this time included guitarist Pedro Howse, vocalist Richie Callison and drummer John Mee. A later line up had ex-BIRD OF PREY vocalist Kyle Michaels fronting the band, later of MASI.

BILL WARD duly activated his own ENGLAND'S GLORY band, this unit involving vocalist Paul Williams, from from JOHN MAYALL’S BLUESBREAKERS, Aynsley Dunbar’s BLUE WHALE, Blues Rockers JUICY LUCY, TEMPEST and the ALLAN HOLDSWORTH band, bassist Rob Ridgeway and NOMAD guitarist Robb Howell, later of RH FACTOR and PEACE MACHINE. Ward also sessioned on RH FACTOR's album 'One Step Closer To The Sun'.

Tony Iommi began demoing up new material utilising the services of the rhythm section from his girlfriend LITA FORD's band bassist Gordon Copley and ex-ICEBREAKER drummer Eric Singer. It was apparently for the initial auditions for what was originally planned as Iommi's solo album 'Seventh Star' that the American TV evangelist Jeff Fenholt actually rehearsed with the band. Fenholt, a former frontman for ARMAGEDDON, BIBLE BLACK and JOSHUA, claims to have been a 'member' of the band between January and May 1985. However, this has been hotly disputed by other sources. Songs recorded with Iommi have been posted on the web. These tracks, also compiled on an unofficial album of pre-production material do reveal material that did end up eventually on the 'Seventh Star' album recorded with different lyrics such as 'Star Of India', 'Dark Side Of Love', 'In The Eye Of The Storm', 'Rock The World', 'Lock Myself Away', 'Don't Turn Away' and 'Love Has No Mercy'. Immediately after his BLACK SABBATH liaison Fenholt embarked upon a series of solo Christian concerts in South America prior to returning to Los Angeles to front DRIVER for a brief period.

The 13th of July 1985 Live Aid event provided the catalyst for an impromptu reunion of the original BLACK SABBATH, but negotiations for a more permanent venture proved fruitless and Geezer Butler returned to Britain to set up a more AOR orientated act that performed a handful of club shows.